Prinsesstårta
Princess Cake
A classic Swedish celebration cake, Prinsesstårta features layers of light sponge cake, pastry cream, and whipped cream, all encased in a smooth dome of green marzipan. It's a visually stunning and delicious dessert perfect for birthdays and special occasions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 Sponge cake layers(Prepare three thin, round sponge cake layers (approximately 20-22 cm diameter). Ensure they are fully cooled before assembly.)
- 400 ml Pastry cream (Crème Pâtissière)(Homemade or good quality store-bought. Ensure it's thick and has cooled completely.)
- 500 ml Whipped cream(Heavy whipping cream, chilled. Sweeten to taste if desired, but traditional recipes often rely on the sweetness of the marzipan and jam.)
- 400 g Green marzipan(Food-grade marzipan, colored green. You may need more or less depending on how thinly you roll it.)
- 100 g Raspberry jam(A good quality, slightly tart raspberry jam works best to balance the sweetness.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sponge cake layers. Bake according to your preferred sponge cake recipe. Aim for thin, even layers. Once baked, let them cool completely on a wire rack. If they are too thick, you can carefully trim them down.
⏱️ 30-35 minutes (baking) - 2
Assemble the base layers. Place one sponge cake layer on your serving plate or cake board. Spread a thin, even layer of raspberry jam over it. Top with a layer of pastry cream, spreading it to the edges.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Continue layering. Place the second sponge cake layer on top of the pastry cream. Spread another layer of pastry cream over this. Then, place the third sponge cake layer on top.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Shape the dome. Using the remaining whipped cream, generously coat the entire cake, creating a smooth, rounded dome shape. This acts as a base for the marzipan and helps to hold the cake together.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Prepare the marzipan. Lightly dust your work surface with powdered sugar or cornstarch. Roll out the green marzipan into a large, thin circle, large enough to cover the entire dome of the cake. Aim for about 3-4 mm thickness.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 6
Cover the cake. Carefully lift the rolled marzipan and drape it over the whipped cream-covered cake. Gently smooth the marzipan over the dome, pressing lightly to adhere it to the cream. Trim any excess marzipan from the base.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Chill the cake. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or preferably longer) to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set firmly. This is crucial for easy slicing.
⏱️ Minimum 2 hours chilling - 8
Decorate (optional). Traditionally, a simple rose made from marzipan or a dusting of powdered sugar is placed on top. You can also add other decorative elements.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The green color of the marzipan is traditional and symbolizes spring and new beginnings.
- ✓A classic decoration is a single marzipan rose placed on top of the cake.
- ✓Prinsesstårta is a beloved classic for Swedish birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Experiment with different colors of marzipan for a modern twist.
- Infuse the pastry cream or whipped cream with different flavors like vanilla bean, lemon zest, or cardamom.